Who Knows, It's Just Life

On this episode I am joined by my younger sister Kendra.  Though we are both technically millennials, it sometimes seems like we are worlds apart in our generational experiences.  We discuss racial identity, the R-word, sexual/gender identity and more.  We also talk about differences in our collegiate experiences, social media, our relationship with the capitalism/the economy, cancel culture, and more.  Kendra is also a huge Dungeons & Dragons player and Dungeon Master.  We also shed some light on her efforts to create diverse, inclusive and paradigm shifting worlds through tabletop role playing games like D&D.

Resources/References:

• https://news.gallup.com/poll/389792/lgbt-identification-ticks-up.aspx
• https://www2.hm.com/en_us/productpage.0551044002.html

Books Recommended by Kendra:

• She Who Became the Sun - Shelley Parker-Chan
• 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid

Song Kendra is Rocking T0:

• Best of my Love - The Emotions

Contact Kendra:

• dragonborndruid.wordpress.com
• Twitter: @dragonborndru1d

Kyle can be reached on IG: @thecoolpapabell

Why can't I vote in the meaningful primary elections in Maryland?  Why is gerrymandering watering down the political process?  Is it at all surprising that the corporate elite in the DNC are spending big money AGAINST progressive candidates within their party?  I discuss all this and more on this episode.  I also propose an alternative to the geographic Congressional Districts - what if we elected representatives by household income brackets instead?  I also shed some light on the South African Constitution as an example for what we could do differently.

References:

Updates on Violence

• Israel's Involvement in the murder of Shireen Abu Akleh
• Steve Kerr on violence and HR8

Democracy Now! Episode 5/18/2022

• David Sirota
• David's Article - They Are Not Even Pretending Anymore
• Nina Turner

Other Sources

• State Campaign Spending Limits
• US Household Income Statistics
• 2021 MLB MVP Voting Results
• Represent US - Ranked Choice Voting
• South African Constitution
• My collegiate paper on income based representation

Song I'm Rocking To:

Thanks to the kiddo - For Good - Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel on Wicked the Musical & Nipsey Russell - Slide Some Oil To Me

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

On this episode I talk to my Uncle Shawn who is an English teacher, world traveler and all around amazing person.  We discuss his travels in South America, Australia/New Zeland and his most recent travels in Kemet (Egypt), Kenya and Ethiopia. He shares what it was like to save up and leave the comforts of the United States prior to finishing his bachelors degree, he describes his perseverance through some scary incidents, and the need to adjust and go with the flow while living abroad.

TikToc: @doepicshit13

Youtube: @shawnlcarson

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

On this episode I speak about choosing violence.  Yes, I talk about Will Smith choosing violence, Chris Rock & Ketanji Brown Jackson NOT choosing violence, the War in Ukrane, the War in the Tigray region of Ethiophia and the overall disconnects and hypocrisy regarding violence in our society.  

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

The Song I'm Rocking To:

Finesse - Pheelz feat. Buju

References - 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-worlds-deadliest-war-isnt-in-ukraine-but-in-ethiopia/2022/03/22/eaf4b83c-a9b6-11ec-8a8e-9c6e9fc7a0de_story.html

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1293492/ukraine-war-casualties/

Jazz's Campaign - https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/04/14/jazz-lewis-4th-district-maryland/

I am dropping this episode exactly a year after I met my guest, Ryan W.  Ryan is an energy wellness practitioner who formed The Humble Practice.  In this episode we truly go down the rabbit hole.  We first discuss the 4th Matrix film (and the series in its entirety).  The discussion went on to delve into evolutionary astrology, and divine masculine and feminine energies (with a focus on the masculine).  Finally we discussed Ryan's path towards creating The Humble Practice; combining her gifts, passion and spiritual calling to the radical work of energy wellness.

Ryan's Book Recommendation:

The Spirit of Intimacy: Ancient African Teachings in the Ways of Relationships by Sobonfu Somi

Song(s) Ryan is Rocking To:

Luther Vandross So Amazing & Anything Tems

Connect:

@ryan__w

@thehumblepractice | https://linktr.ee/TheHumblePractice

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

In this episode I am joined by my long time friend, Tony Aldridge. We wrestle with definitions of masculinity and speak about toxic masculinity and male fragility. We dissect the depictions of masculinity in each of the following IG posts and compare them to our own lives as partners and fathers.

• https://www.instagram.com/reel/CX_rdsggSdv/?utm_medium=share_sheet
• https://www.instagram.com/reel/CYaB0VkpO6A/?utm_medium=copy_link

Song Tony is Rocking To:

Anything Tobe Nwigwe

Books:

bell hooks - The Will to Change

Contact:

@imjustsayin86

@daddytimesmokehouse

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

On this episode I quickly address the MLB lockout, it's racist Hall of Fame (Barry Bonds should be in), Brian Flores, the exploitative Super Bowl halftime show and the idea of Black authenticity at work in general.

References:

For Colored Nerds: Authenticity at Work is a Trap with Jodi-Ann Burey

Song I'm Rocking To:

El Camino De Mirabel - Germaine Franco

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

This episode isn't heavy.  I summarize the holiday season and set my sights on what 2022 will bring to the podcast.  I also speak on the passing of Betty White, Sidney Poitier, and Bob Saget.

Songs I'm Rocking To:

Black Pumas - Colors

Mickey Guyton - Remember Her Name

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

On this episode, I speak about patriarchy and a specific workplace example of Patriarchy's persistent pollution of workplace culture.  Amid Omicron outbreaks, I ponder when coronavirus will no longer be "novel" and I reflect on the impact the late great bell hooks had on my life.

Song I'm Rocking To:

Sickick - I Can Feel It (Michael Jackson x Phil Colins Remix)

Book References:

Ready Player One - Ernest Cline

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell

On this episode I reflect on the fact that it's been over a year since I started Who Knows It's Just Life.  I speak on a number of topics in this episode including an update on Red House Series, MLB and my continued frustration with it's racial progress, election results, Colin Black and White, the Counter Revolution of 1776, my "7 Days Walking" meditation, and more.

Song I'm Rocking To:

Seal - Ain't No Better Love

NEW IG: @thecoolpapabell